DENVER – Colorado Ballet seeks local organizations to collaborate on an educational partnership that promotes the protection of human rights against discrimination through arts, education and public dialogue. Light /The Holocaust & Humanity Project will take place in 2013 from January 14, one week prior to Martin Luther King Jr. Day through Holocaust Remembrance Week in mid-April.

The project elements include a public lecture series, professional development for teachers, school programs on anti-bullying, visual and performance art productions, book discussion groups and community dialogue. Governor John Hickenlooper and Mayor Michael B. Hancock will serve as Honorary Chairs. Lead Partners for Light include Colorado Ballet, Anti-Defamation League, Mizel Museum and University of Denver Center for Judaic Studies. There are 80 other Community Partners also creating events and programming.

“Light provides an opportunity to bring our community together and start a community-wide discussion about discrimination and human rights,” said Colorado Ballet’s Executive Director, Marie Belew Wheatley. “We already have 80 Community Partners and the committee hopes to have at least 100 partners join us for this great cause.”

Colorado Ballet will perform Light /The Holocaust & Humanity Project, a one act contemporary ballet in five movements March 29-31, 2013 at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts. When it premiered in 2005, Light brought national attention to Ballet Austin and choreographer Stephen Mills. The ballet is based on the life of a Holocaust survivor and is set to the music of five notable contemporary composers. Mills' original choreography turns the spotlight on discrimination and the triumph of the human spirit.

About Colorado BalletEstablished in 1961 by Lillian Covillo and Freidann Parker, Colorado Ballet is a non-profit organization celebrating 52 years of presenting world-class classical ballet and superior dance in Denver. Under the direction of Artistic Director Gil Boggs, Colorado Ballet presents more than 50 performances annually. Colorado Ballet enhances the cultural life of Colorado through performances of the professional company, training at the Academy, and Education & Outreach programs.